Conference paper
PREDICTORS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN DUBAI, A RAPIDLY GROWING MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Salwa M. Alhammadi
; Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Lien Abou Hashem
; Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Zainah R. Abusbeih
; Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Fatima S. Alzaabi
; Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salama N. Alnuaimi
; Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ala F. Jalabi
; Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Satish C. Nair
; Department of Academic Affairs, Tawam Hospital, College of Medicine, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Frederick R. Carrick
; Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in association with University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Neurology, Carrick Institute, Cape Canaveral, FL, USA; Harvard Macy and MGH Institutes, Boston, MA, USA
Mahera Abdulrahman
orcid.org/0000-0001-6271-3776
; Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medical Education, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Abstract
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health problem adversely affecting mothers, their newborns,
and other members of the family. Although PPD is common and potentially dangerous, only a minority of the cases are identified in primary health care settings during routine care, and the majority of depressed mothers in the community lies unrecognized and therefore untreated.
Subjects and methods: In this study, a total of 1500 mothers were approached randomly, 808 accepted to participate, and 504
were within the inclusion criteria (women who had a birth of a singleton full-term healthy infant, had an uncomplicated pregnancy, and were within their one week to six months postpartum). The participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
Results: A total of 168 women had an EPDS score 10, yielding a crude prevalence rate of 33%. The prevalence of suicidal
ideation was 14 out of 504 (3%), among which 11 (79%) had EPDS score of 10. We fitted multiple linear regression models to
evaluate the predictors of variables measured on the EPDS scale. This model was statistically significant p<0.0001 in predicting the total EPDS score. Women's employment status, baby's birth weight, stressful life event and marital conflict were statistically significant predictors.
Conclusions: The findings of this study are anticipated to entail the government and policy makers in the region to pay more
attention to the apparently high prevalence of unrevealed PPD in the community. It is crucial to enhance screening mechanisms for early detection, providing interventions to manage symptoms, and at the same time mandating local guidelines to address the PPD pathology as a high priority for the UAE population.
Keywords
postpartum depression; risk factors; screening; United Arab Emirates
Hrčak ID:
263712
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2017.
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